Poetry Friday Roundup is here!

~ jama

WELCOME TO POETRY FRIDAY AT ALPHABET SOUP!

Have I told you lately you’re as cute as a button? 🙂

Although National Button Day isn’t until November 16, Mr. Cornelius and the rest of us here decided we wanted to celebrate it a little early.

That’s because we love a particularly charming poem by Penny Parker Klostermann in the Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations (Pomelo Books, 2015).

Most of you probably know that Penny just recently published her first picture book — There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight (Random House, 2015), that showcased her enviable chops as a clever wordsmith and humorist — but did you know that “Buttons” was not only Penny’s first published poem, but her first published work for children?

We’re happy to celebrate this wonderful milestone with a batch of peanut butter button cookies and sugar button cupcakes. Please help yourself, enjoy Penny’s poem and backstory, then leave your PF links with Mr. Linky.

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS, PENNY!🎈

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Vintage Milk Chocolate Buttons by Hotel Chocolat

BUTTONS
by Penny Parker Klostermann

Buttons, buttons, shiny buttons —
buttons in a jar.
Lost-then-found ones,
square ones, round ones,
buttons shaped like stars.

Buttons, buttons, shiny buttons —
buttons on my clothes.
Coat ones, skirt ones,
on-my-shirt ones,
buttons sewn in rows.

Buttons, buttons, shiny buttons —
buttons cuddled tight.
Tucked-in snug ones,
teddy-hug ones.
Buttons wink goodnight.

~ Posted by permission of the author, copyright © 2015 Penny Parker Klostermann.

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BOTONES

Botones, botones, botones brillantes —
botones en un frasco.
Perdidos y luego encontrados,
cuadrados, redondos,
botones con forma de estrella.

Botones, botones, botones brillantes —
botones en mi ropa.
Los de abrigos, los de faldas,
los de mis camisas,
botones cosidos en fila.

Botones, botones, botones brillantes —
botones bien ajustados.
Los que abrigan,
los que son como abrazo de osito.
Los botones nos dan las buenas noches.

Antique Chocolate Candy Brass Buttons by andie’s speciality sweets

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PENNY’S JOTS:

Even though I write quite a bit a poetry, I am not good about submitting it for publication. But when I heard that there was going to be another Poetry Friday Anthology I got busy writing poems for submission. Being a former teacher, I see a real need for the Poetry Friday Anthologies in classrooms. They are an incredible tool.

I looked at the list of holidays and I was drawn to National Button Day. My mom is a seamstress and always had lots of buttons around, so for inspiration I thought of her sewing room. The funny thing is that my husband and I had just spent time with my parents and were driving home from Colorado to Texas so I had been in her sewing room the day before I started the poem.

I wrote as we traveled home in order to meet the submission deadline. I imagined the colorful, shiny buttons she had in jars and the first stanza started taking shape. Then I thought about mom sewing buttons on our clothes and the second stanza fell into place. (I have three sisters and she made most of our clothes. A lot of the time we all four matched.)

I was happy with the first two stanzas but wanted something in the third and final stanza to add emotion and a kid-like element. I played around with it quite a bit before I thought of a teddy bear’s button eyes. I knew the teddy would be the focus of the final stanza but it took some playing around to get it right. Even then I had to edit it because the first version didn’t include the word teddy. It was just implied. I was working with Janet Wong on revisions and she felt the word teddy needed to be included since the poem was for young children. Here is the first version of that stanza that I sent to her:

Buttons, buttons, shiny buttons,

buttons cuddled tight.

Tiny-vest ones,

worn, caressed ones,

buttons wink goodnight.

*
If the poem had been illustrated, this would’ve worked but I’m happier with the final version so I’m glad that I needed to revise. Since *Buttons* was the first of any of my work to be published, it was very exciting to receive my copy of the book and turn to my poem. It was a special moment. I couldn’t believe that my name was there with the other poets.

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Needless to say, there was a tremendous cheer in the Alphabet Soup kitchen at the mention of teddy bear button eyes in the last stanza. All the furry helpers are now diehard Penny Klostermann fans. Isn’t “buttons wink goodnight” the best ending? 🙂

Teddy Button Eyes Collage by Mr. Cornelius (clockwise from top left: Barley, Tapioca, Churchill, Becky).

Now, please leave your links with the ever-accommodating Mr. Linky by clicking on his BUTTON below (the list of participants will appear on a separate web page). Don’t forget to include the title of the poem you’re sharing or book you’re reviewing in parentheses after your name. 🙂

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Thank you for joining us today. Enjoy the Poetry Friday feast throughout the blogosphere!

 

 

*   *   *

📕 THE EAT YOUR U.S. HISTORY HOMEWORK GIVEAWAY WINNER 📘

IS

SUE MORRIS at KID LIT REVIEWS!

CONGRATULATIONS, SUE!!!

Please send your snail mail address to: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com, so we can send you the book right away!

Thanks for entering everyone. I’m still drooling over all your favorite ice cream flavors!

*   *   *

📘 THE FEEDING THE FLYING FANELLIS GIVEAWAY WINNER 📗

IS

Champion Lion Tamer TARA SMITH at A TEACHING LIFE!

CONGRATULATIONS, TARA!!

Please provide your snail mail address so we can send your book out pronto!

Thanks, Everyone, for entering!

—————————————————

Copyright © 2015 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

84 thoughts on “Poetry Friday Roundup is here!”

  1. Pingback: 2015 Poetry Friday Archive | Jama's Alphabet Soup

    2. I think you probably need more practice in the fine art of removing candy dots from paper, Michelle :). I, myself, have been trying to improve my technique. I have a very colorful tongue now.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Oh, Jama–how I wish I tuned into your beautiful,delectable blog more often!

    Thank you, Penny, for your marvelous poem and for its backstory. We all love learning behind-the-scenes secrets. The rhythm is just right–I feel my childhood fingers fluttering through a bowl of buttons. Good memories. And–wowza–CONGRATULATIONS on the publication of your book!

    While you are getting ready for National Button Day, we TeachingAuthors will be celebrating Internet Day on October 29th. How has the internet changed YOUR life? My poem, “Miracle and Wonders” considers how modern technology might have helped a lonely farmer’s wife on the prairie.

    My post goes live on Friday morning:

    http://www.teachingauthors.com/2015/10/miracles-and-wonders-happy-internet-day.html

    Liked by 1 person

  6. We *do* love Penny, especially now that we know her a little more. Thanks for the fine post, and scrumptious treats. I must confess, I really want to cuddle Barley. xoxoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Barley is blushing and very flattered, Keri! As the smallest bear pictured (he’s about 7″ tall), he’s thrilled to be singled out.

      Like

  7. What an appetizing post–a feast for the eyes, as well as the stomach. Blessed Penny to have such a lively context (& friend!) for celebrating her publishing milestone. I love that you included her poem’s backstory as part of the post. Reminded me, so warmly, of my grandmother’s button jar, which led me to appreciate button-beauty and diversity–even to this day! …And as for the button candy–what a delightful addition to jog the memory back to days of fun candy that ofttimes looked better than it tasted. While I’m with Michelle on the button candy eating logistics, I loved the challenge of biting off the buttons sans du papier as often as possible! God bless you and Penny! Thank you for hosting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It seems like a lot of work to get a teeny bite of sugar, but I guess that was part of the fun. It’s fun to look at some of the old fashioned candies, and nice that they’re still making them.

      Like

      1. Chewable fangs, wax soda bottles, multi-colored fish, candy cigarettes…no wonder I had so many cavities by puberty… God bless you and your amazingly “delicious” looking and reading post. Thanks again for hosting this week, and for taking time to read/respond to my post.

        Like

  8. Congratulations to the book winners. It is extra special to have won a book on Jama’s Alphabet Soup blog. As soon as I saw the candy buttons and button cookies, I was hooked! I love buttons. I have a collection from my mother, and I seem to have collected a few myself. I wonder, “What to do with them all?” I don’t sew enough to use them, but they are way too cool to cast aside. I’m glad Penny figured it all out. Good to know, buttons wink! I will remember that phrase!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. How lucky you are to have your mother’s button collection. I imagine some of those are real gems. The more I think about buttons, the more I appreciate them — not only for their functionality, but for their beauty and variety.

      Like

  9. Love, love this button winking poem. We recently read The Memory String by Eve Bunting and made our own memory strings with my storage of buttons. A student brought in her collection and is sharing buttons for good deeds done in the classroom. We love buttons!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Pingback: Poetry Friday: “September Song” | Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

  11. Button candy from NECCO…one of my all-time favorites, ever! The perfect accompaniment to Penny’s very cute poem. Very happy for Penny, for getting her poetry out there and getting that book deal! (By the way, NECCO is the New England Confectionary Company – very popular around these parts, as you can imagine – and is the home of NECCO Wafers, the original conversation hearts, Mary Janes, and Squirrel Nut Zippers!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. NECCO’s been around a long while — glad to see they’re still making those candy buttons and other old fashioned favorites. What would we do without conversation hearts and Mary Janes? I might have to start calling you the candy button man. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. What a delicious post! I can’t believe how you’ve themed it all together so beautifully!! A perfect appetiser for a delightful poem. (Are those buttons *really* lollies? Did you make them – or can you buy them? #askingasanAussie)

    Liked by 1 person

    3. Feeling a bit silly, because now that I’ve refreshed this page I see there were MORE photos… that are very clearly candy buttons. (My internet is quite shonky, and obviously stalled half-way through, first time.) I am STILL in awe of candy buttons (especially (!!) the chocolate and edible antiques that didn’t show first time) and… gobsmacked, really. (My sweet-tooth is tingling.)

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Growing up, when there were still corner stores that sold penny candy, I often came home with a foot or so of candy buttons. Thanks for the memories.

    Like

  14. Reading this post puts me in dot candy and button heaven. I loved reading the backstory of Penny’s charming button poem. And congratulations to Mr. Cornelius for creating a perfect collage to illustrate it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Glad you enjoyed the post — you can dream about buttons all weekend now. 🙂 Mr. Cornelius is happy you liked his collage. It was tough picking just 4 bears to pose for him.

      Like

  15. Thank you, Jama and Penny – Yep, that button “winking” IS perfect. So delighted we’ve all gotten to know Penny and her poems. Penny, I’ll bet your buttons are popping this year! Congrats on all the successes.

    I’m coveting those vintage candy buttons, of course. Please give Mr. C. my compliments on his wonderful collage.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I loved those candies on paper when I was a kid – pure sugar if you don’t include the bit of paper as the added fiber!
    This was a beauty of a post. I just bought some beautiful lime green buttons in a small jar. My grandmother was a seamstress, so I was often surrounded by buttons to sort and play with! I hope velcro NEVER replaces buttons…it isn’t nearly as wonderful and sortable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lime green buttons — sound beautiful! And there’s something special about placing them in a clear jar so you can appreciate them. Yes — that paper is fiber!! 😀

      Like

  17. This was nostalgic as I love buttons. As a child I would rummage through my mother’s sewing box looking through all sorts of buttons. I carried that out as I got older, buying my own buttons for all sorts of projects waiting to happen. Thanks for sharing this poem. – iphigene

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Jama, what a delightful and delicious blog. I see why your Teddy Clan loved Penny’s poem. “Tucked-in snug ones, teddy-hug ones.” What a great ending and such a joy for Penny to have Janet help her revise the poem.

    My family comes from a long line of bakers and seamstresses so I think both my grandmother and mother would have loved your post.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Pingback: A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt, Guests-Buffy Silverman and Daughter, Emma | Penny Parker Klostermann

  22. I love everything about Penny’s poem (but the hyphenations most of all) and I love everything about your post (but all those sweet button Teddy eyes most of all)!! Thanks for hosting!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. What a fabulous buttons poem. I am not even a “button person,” but this charmed my unbuttoned socks off:>) Congratulations, Penny–I have your book on order, and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for hosting and sharing Penny, Jama. Happy Poetry Friday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Penny’s poem is irresistible. I didn’t even realize there was a National Button Day! That’s why the PFAFC is extra extra cool. 🙂

      Like

  24. Penny’s poem is wonderful! Why am I not surprised? I loved reading the backstory and her revision of the final stanza. It’s perfect! No wonder Cornelius and pals are die hard Penny fans. And those peanut butter button cookies? I’m off to bake a batch!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Cornelius and the other bears can’t recall any other poems mentioning their button eyes. They’re positively smitten with Penny! 🙂

      Like

  25. Yay! for teddy bears, for the wild bears that inspired them, for teddy-buttons, & for Penny’s button love.
    The process with her editor on the button poem is cute as a button to read. And the results close everything up sweet + tidy.
    I love the poem, especially
    “buttons wink goodnight”
    c. Penny Parker Klosterman
    It is so loving that she began it after time in her mom’s sewing room.

    Appreciations for the translation of the poem.
    And for celebrating Penny’s dragon-knight p.b.

    Finally, altho I’m getting wordy here, I like to look for special candy for our grown daughter’s holiday stocking & these candy buttons are top of my list.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a wonderful addition to your daughter’s stocking! I’m going to slip a strip into my husband’s holiday stocking too. 🙂

      Like

  26. Every time I come to your blog, I marvel at how you link food and poetry and art. You even have a teapot with buttons! Holy cow! I wish I lived in Colorado so I could come enjoy those cookies and tea! And I LOVE that the poem is in English and Spanish. I work at a dual language school and am always looking for new Spanish resources.

    I’m in this week with “Learning from Trees” by Grace Butcher. Her poetry reminds me of Mary Oliver. http://carolwscorner.blogspot.com/2015/10/poetry-friday.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Having all the poems in English and Spanish is one of the reasons this particular anthology is my favorite in the series — and I also love the whole concept of “Celebrating” whenever possible. 🙂

      Like

  27. We love Penny, indeed! I, too, am the daughter of a seamstress, and buttons are the basics, aren’t they? Penny’s words remind me of what an excellent editor Janet is… great point about the need for “teddy” to make clear an nonillustrated poem. Congratulations, Penny, on the publication… here’s to many more, along with many more picture books! xo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Another seamstress in the family! How interesting. My mom didn’t really sew (although we had a sewing machine for repairs), but several of my aunts were good seamstresses.

      Like

  28. Hi, Jama, congrats on another delicious post! You are second-to-none in creating the most wonderful visually rich blog posts– along with fabulous content! And YAY for Penny too! How did I not know that “Buttons” in the PFAC was her FIRST published work?! That makes it even more special! Congratulations to us all!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I didn’t know that either — and what a fabulous anthology in which to have one’s first work published!! Congratulations to everyone, indeed!

      Like

  29. Oh, Jama, you never disappoint. I think I scrolled through your DELICIOUS photos six times before I even settled in to read the post. I would like to come to your house and play with all your food props. Those button plates and teapot are swoon-worthy!

    And so is Penny’s poem! I loved it when I first read it in PFAC, and I love it even more now that Cornelius has given his button-eye wink of approval. Thank you for featuring one of my favorite kidlit peeps. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Glad you enjoyed today’s serving of eye candy. What fun we could have playing over here with Cornelius and all his foodie toys. He’s been talking of nothing but Penny for the last several weeks!

      Like

  31. Jama, I love every poetic, button-y thing about this post, but I especially love the chocolate buttons. 🙂 Thanks for hosting, dear friend!

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Thanks for hosting. My selection is “Farmer’s Dog Goes to the Forest: rhymes for two voices” by David L Harrison with illustrations by Arden Johnson-Petrov.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Surprised to hear how many people loved button candy when they were little. I was deprived, I guess — I don’t remember eating any (though I did eat a lot of other kinds of candy).

      Like

  36. Pingback: Poetry Friday: Oceans of Leaves | Reading to the Core

  37. I loved button candy when I was a kid, but those chocolate buttons look scrumptious! Hooray, Penny, on having your wonderful poem included in the Poetry Friday Anthology, and on your picture book! I still keep a tin of buttons with my very neglected sewing basket.

    Thank you, Jama, for hosting AND for Flutter and Hum! I shared it with our Spanish teacher and she’s excited to share it with her students. Hopefully, they’ll be inspired to write their own poems!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Glad you got the book and shared it! Let us know if the students do write some poems. 🙂

      I’m tempted to order some of those chocolate buttons just to see if they taste as good as they look . . . all in the name of science, of course.

      Like

  38. What a delightful smorgasborg of a post–A visual and literary and gustatory delight! I love you how you wove it all together. Tonight I’m posting for the first time and sharing a poem I wrote about my love for playing with words. I wrote the poem months ago, but hope it is still okay to share here (even though it was on my blog on an earlier post). Thanks for hosting and please let me know if I did not do all of this correctly!
    https://mbhmaine.wordpress.com/2015/10/23/772/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for joining us today and sharing your poem, Molly! I love playing with words too. I added your link to the Mr. Linky list :).

      Like

    1. Thanks for writing such a darling poem, Penny. Had a lot of fun putting this post together. Appreciate your backstory about the poem, too. I like imagining your mom’s sewing room, all those buttons and her making clothes for 4 girls! And thanks for the teddy-hug and button-wink. So adorable.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. What a scrumptious poem and post…again! I love reading Penny’s behind-the-scenes scoop; process work is so interesting. As a button fan myself (with buttons in jars), this delighted me through and through. Thank you both! xo

    Like

  43. Pingback: A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt-Landon and Penny | Penny Parker Klostermann

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